Tropical Fish Care Without Assistance

Author: Xie Jieming Wei Miao Xin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: From a biological perspective, among the animals kept as pets by humans, ornamental fish belong to a relatively lower group. Their living environments cannot differ too much from their natural habitats, and most of them cannot be well domesticated in terms of behavior and habits, stubbornly retaining a hint of wildness. However, this does not diminish their unique charm. Those who love studying and observing nature, often referred to as "naturalists," are fascinated by their unadorned natural beauty. It is not an exaggeration to say that ornamental fish enthusiasts are no less passionate than other pet enthusiasts. This is not because the fish they keep are relatively lower in the evolutionary hierarchy, but rather because they may be considered inferior in aesthetic taste and interest. A Western fishkeeping expert once said, "Ornamental fish enthusiasts are experts who appreciate natural beauty, regardless of their current profession, and all have the potential to become naturalists." With a basic understanding of biology, most ornamental fish species found in the market can be relatively easily kept. Considering the book's positioning as being aimed at the general public and close to current trends, the species described are those known as "freshwater tropical fish." They are the largest group of ornamental fish, with a wide variety of species, relatively easy to breed artificially, and suitable for ordinary families across China's northern and southern regions. Compared to keeping other pets, the key to keeping tropical fish well lies in understanding how they live in their natural environment and, as much as possible, simulating these natural conditions, rather than testing how much they can tolerate the environments we arbitrarily provide for them. Some ornamental fish species have already become rare in the wild, and it is best not to test their tolerance in the confined space of a home aquarium. Examples include the (Koi) from Southeast Asia, the Yangtze River's Yangtze Sturgeon, and the Chinese Paddlefish. We do not wish for all ordinary fishkeeping enthusiasts to attempt to keep them. The biological characteristics of fish determine that they are not noisy, and in suitable environments, they do not require the same level of care as other pets. Their vibrant colors and diverse forms are unique in the biological world. If you love animals but lack the time and energy to care for them daily, if you feel that your newly renovated home needs a touch of vivid, dynamic color as an accent, or if you wish to observe a miniature ecological landscape from the comfort of your home, then keeping a tank of tropical fish is the way to go. Limited by the authors' knowledge and experience, it is difficult to fully explain the habits of the vast variety of tropical fish, so this book primarily introduces some species that the authors have personally experienced keeping. Even so, subjective errors are inevitable, so readers are encouraged to approach this book with a mindset of exploration rather than pure learning. More so-called experiences still need to be gradually understood and accumulated through actual fishkeeping practice. Xie Jieming Wei Miao Xin September 2005